The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-13

Among tne many sITeeU tolieOo
which are shown for the season,
some are seen, which are based upon
the simplest ideas imaginable: There
is absolutely no trimmings; but one
material is employed for the whole
suit; and the shape of the
basque, the drapery and all
the details of the costume are
plain, to an extremity of simplicity.
There are just one Or two things
to be said about these dresses. No
woman should attempt to wear them
unless she knows herself to possess
an exquisite figure, and even if her
form be symmetrical the fit of the
dress must be perfection, otherwise
the effect is unquestionably bad.
There is such a thing, and it is
very often seen too, as overtrimming
dress-putting too much on it, and
exposing it to criticism, al least from
women, or being termed "dowdy, ="
but more or less garniture is never
theless essential, not alone for the
adornment of the dress, but for the
improvement in the appearance OF
the woman.
A riding habit, the acme of sim
plicity, looks only well on a Venus
Ike form.
There is a science in dress, as there
is in other matters, and Nine. Beau
harnais is not the only woman who
has discovered the art Of making her
dress atone for the faults OF her per-
son. A large wasted woman will al
ways put on a hustle prop rtlonate
| ia size; if she be fiat chested she
/ should not despise the full vests or
plated plastrons which are in lash
| ion. and if her feet be larger than
Clnderella's she will always, on even
ing occasions, affect dark hosie y and
/ lack slippers, while her skirts will
be as long as Dame Fa shion permit s,
There are many ladies (havlng, |
presume, more time to give to Its
study than the others) who reduce
dress to an art, but there are also
not a few who do not realize their
own weak poiuts, or it they do take
no steps to conceal them.
The children toilets shown for the
season are extremely neat aud pretty
more so than usual, and mothers can
attire their children like fairies II
they take pattern by some of the
more recent models shown.
Cashmere and surah are combined
in a great many of the costumes
shown for little girls, and the colors
are generally bright aud cheerful
producing truly childish dresses.
Mixed and fancy woOlens are also
seen, sometimes forming the whole
of the suit and sometimes combined
with other material.
One dress for little girl OF about
eight years has the favorite Oper
jacket of plain, smooth wooden tab
rio, and trimmed with broad velvet
revers, which, on account of the di.
miuutive form OF the wearer, take VI
very large portion of the front
Beneath this jacket appears vest
buttoned down the front, and OF 8
fancy wooden material, agreeing with
the skirt, which is kilt d all the way
around. The hat which is wOrr
with this dress is a velvet toque, OIL
velvet 10 match the trimmings OF tht
dress, and the garOiture consists of &
great bunch Of bright cOlored lib
bons.
The familiar poke" with its vari
atoms, is still very popular for the
little folks, and what might be
termed civilized Tam O'Shauter
made with velvet band set upon the
head and a pulled silk crown.
Speaking OF headgear, | do not OBJ
serve the eapote as prominent in the
spring and summer millinery as il
has been throughout the past season
Young ladies' are very much en-
amo ed of the natty toque shape;
which so well set off youthful face
They are trimmed much as tn,
wearer pleases, the shape being al
easy one to fix up" aud the expense
of trimming one being small. A
band of fancy or striped velvet OF
plush run around the brim so as t
cover il neatly and smoothly is the
first preparation; the low crown j;
concealed beneath covering If vel
vet, in tint somewhat darker thar
the r,bboQ with which it is trimmed
and which is ARRANGED in great
cluster or knot upon the front;
feather pOmpln or two are placed
right in the midst of this chaos Of
ribbons, AID Of a color to contrast
sharply with them, completes tn,
garnIture, and the hat repays The
slilht time aud attention bestowed
upon it better than any other shape
put forth for the season.
Dresses without trout dra ping, fol
wear upon the street, have the entire